Ideas for surprise cruise for our parents?

[cruzinfamilyof4]

I think this is so sweet of you and your sister! Your momma and daddy raised a couple of amazing kids! If my kids did this for me I would appreciate having the OBC. With that I can book an excursion, buy a few drinks, get massages, buy photos, etc...the options are endless. How are you going to tell them? Hope it is a fun way you are planning. I do hope you come back and share how the surprise goes! I can't wait to hear about it!!

 

[Thrak]

I can't agree with some of the suggestions here. The Chef's Table dinner is an enormous amount of food and I would hate to have someone pay for it as we would never be able to eat even half of what is served. If we were gifted a couple's massage we would most likely try to cancel it and get on board credit instead. It's way overpriced and not to everybody's taste in the first place.

 

I agree with your idea of giving them a combination of OBC and cash. The OBC makes a great way to cover their bar bill or anything they may want to buy from the shops as a memento and the cash will allow them to have spending money in the ports.

 

This is a pretty amazing gift. I think that "Wowie Zowie!" pretty much sums it up. You have some very lucky parents.

[Wishing on a star]

How wonderful and nice of you!

 

I noticed that you liked the idea of wine....

It it might be nice to gift them a couple of bottles of nice wine, and then tell them to make sure that they can't open it until their planned anniversary...  and THEN tell them that they can enjoy the wine on that nice Princess cruise!

 

I do understand how the price of the Plus package can add up on longer cruises!

OBC might be the better option anyhow.

 

I am thinking that they would understand onboard credit.

I think that is a good idea.

Only if I knew that they would want to plan an anniversary supper at one of the specialty restaurants, you could make reservations for that.  (I believe that you pay for this when booking, pre -cruise...  But it can easily be changed or cancelled.)

[Wishing on a star]

I didn't catch it if their pre-cruise hotel is planned.

But, of course, that is another thing for you to add in.

If either of you have points, then that could help with the hotel.

 

We often stay at the Hyatt Cruise Port.

It is so very seamless and easy.

The have the airport shuttle, and a great shuttle service to the Port, for a very reasonable fare.

 

[cruisequeen4ever]

Jax and Emily, what amazing, kind-hearted, selfless, loving children you are! Your parents are going to have such a special experience thanks to you 2! 
 

OBC is wonderful because it can be used to pay gratuities, buy drinks, shore excursions, and spa services, purchase items from the shops, gamble in the casino, and pay for specialty restaurant dinners. 
 

If you want to guarantee they have no added costs, pay their gratuities. They could go the whole week without spending a dollar. Drink the free coffee, tea, water, juice, lemonade, and iced tea. Eat the free food at the buffet, grill, and dining room. Go to the free events like the pool, hot tub, deck loungers, shows, live music, trivia, game shows, and presentations. Explore the ports on foot. 
 

I truly hope you guys can go on a cruise someday, too! 
 

Good luck saving for your car and senior trip! 😀

[voljeep]

Prepaid VISA/MC card - can use to apply to on board charges or in the towns - but we almost always use good ole CASH in the towns - we don't buy much these days...

[Happiest when cruising]

12 hours ago, cruisequeen4ever said:

Jax and Emily, what amazing, kind-hearted, selfless, loving children you are! Your parents are going to have such a special experience thanks to you 2! 
 

OBC is wonderful because it can be used to pay gratuities, buy drinks, shore excursions, and spa services, purchase items from the shops, gamble in the casino, and pay for specialty restaurant dinners. 
 

If you want to guarantee they have no added costs, pay their gratuities. They could go the whole week without spending a dollar. Drink the free coffee, tea, water, juice, lemonade, and iced tea. Eat the free food at the buffet, grill, and dining room. Go to the free events like the pool, hot tub, deck loungers, shows, live music, trivia, game shows, and presentations. Explore the ports on foot. 
 

I truly hope you guys can go on a cruise someday, too! 
 

Good luck saving for your car and senior trip! 😀

They already prepaid their gratuities. These are very thoughtful kids who seem to understand having the insurance is important, as well. 

[Jaxer05]

UPDATE-For those that asked....

 

I cannot begin to express how much we appreciate all the input, advice and kindness that you all gave us! You have no idea how scary this was for us to try and figure out...I really wish that we had come to cruise critic from the very start of this adventure!

 

We decided to put the extra on their onboard account as OBC as that seemed to give them the most flexibility with their options AND it has the added benefit of being a done deal and they can't refuse to accept it as we were afraid they might do if we tried to give them cash. They are those parents that never want us to spend our own money on them! (Kinda blew that out of the water on this one...)

 

 

So.......the grand reveal went WAY better than I could have ever expected. We have a tradition in our family that whenever there is big news or something to be discussed we "call a family meeting". So my sister and I made their favorite dinner and said we wanted to have a family meeting during dinner.  We sort of tried to say it ominously so that they wouldn't be thinking that a surprise was coming..... 😉

 

We waited as long as we could to tell them, which meant that we hadn't even taken our first bite yet! My mom was like....we will always love you, just tell us what's wrong! 🙂

 

YOU GUYS....it took us three times of explaining to get them to understand that we had already paid for the cruise and that they were going!  They literally thought we were just talking about how neat the itinerary was!!!  When it finally sunk in that IT WAS A DONE DEAL, the fare has been paid and THEY WERE GOING they both burst into tears. For like 10 minutes. I am not exaggerating, it was a crazy amount of waterworks.  My dad later told us that my mom has been wanting to go on another cruise for the last 10 years and they could just never manage it.  It was awesome.

 

Once they recovered it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life! They are talking about it non-stop! They went THAT NIGHT to Barnes and Noble to get a cruise guide book and they have been researching all of the ports. They are looking at options for ship excursions and watching so many YouTube videos about the Caribbean Princess that I think they have already seen every nook and cranny of the ship! They have basically turned into kids at Christmas. The exact reaction we were hoping for. They haven't made it to cruise critic yet but I am waiting for my mom to find this post....she loves cruise critic! (Love you mom!)

 

Thanks again for all of your wonderful advice and kind words.  What a wonderful online community this is.  We are going to take a family cruise someday and rest assured I will back here with a ton of questions!

 

Until then....Bon Voyage....  🛳️🥰

 

 

 

 

[Coral]

21 minutes ago, Jaxer05 said:

UPDATE-For those that asked....

 

 

Great job!

[PacnGoNow]

25 minutes ago, Jaxer05 said:

UPDATE-For those that asked....

 

I cannot begin to express how much we appreciate all the input, advice and kindness that you all gave us! You have no idea how scary this was for us to try and figure out...I really wish that we had come to cruise critic from the very start of this adventure!

 

We decided to put the extra on their onboard account as OBC as that seemed to give them the most flexibility with their options AND it has the added benefit of being a done deal and they can't refuse to accept it as we were afraid they might do if we tried to give them cash. They are those parents that never want us to spend our own money on them! (Kinda blew that out of the water on this one...)

 

 

So.......the grand reveal went WAY better than I could have ever expected. We have a tradition in our family that whenever there is big news or something to be discussed we "call a family meeting". So my sister and I made their favorite dinner and said we wanted to have a family meeting during dinner.  We sort of tried to say it ominously so that they wouldn't be thinking that a surprise was coming..... 😉

 

We waited as long as we could to tell them, which meant that we hadn't even taken our first bite yet! My mom was like....we will always love you, just tell us what's wrong! 🙂

 

YOU GUYS....it took us three times of explaining to get them to understand that we had already paid for the cruise and that they were going!  They literally thought we were just talking about how neat the itinerary was!!!  When it finally sunk in that IT WAS A DONE DEAL, the fare has been paid and THEY WERE GOING they both burst into tears. For like 10 minutes. I am not exaggerating, it was a crazy amount of waterworks.  My dad later told us that my mom has been wanting to go on another cruise for the last 10 years and they could just never manage it.  It was awesome.

 

Once they recovered it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life! They are talking about it non-stop! They went THAT NIGHT to Barnes and Noble to get a cruise guide book and they have been researching all of the ports. They are looking at options for ship excursions and watching so many YouTube videos about the Caribbean Princess that I think they have already seen every nook and cranny of the ship! They have basically turned into kids at Christmas. The exact reaction we were hoping for. They haven't made it to cruise critic yet but I am waiting for my mom to find this post....she loves cruise critic! (Love you mom!)

 

Thanks again for all of your wonderful advice and kind words.  What a wonderful online community this is.  We are going to take a family cruise someday and rest assured I will back here with a ton of questions!

 

Until then....Bon Voyage....  🛳️🥰

 

 

 

 

Awesome!  Thank you for the wonderful report and feedback!

 

[Bwana Tom]

48 minutes ago, Jaxer05 said:

UPDATE-For those that asked....

 

I cannot begin to express how much we appreciate all the input, advice and kindness that you all gave us! You have no idea how scary this was for us to try and figure out...I really wish that we had come to cruise critic from the very start of this adventure!

 

We decided to put the extra on their onboard account as OBC as that seemed to give them the most flexibility with their options AND it has the added benefit of being a done deal and they can't refuse to accept it as we were afraid they might do if we tried to give them cash. They are those parents that never want us to spend our own money on them! (Kinda blew that out of the water on this one...)

 

 

So.......the grand reveal went WAY better than I could have ever expected. We have a tradition in our family that whenever there is big news or something to be discussed we "call a family meeting". So my sister and I made their favorite dinner and said we wanted to have a family meeting during dinner.  We sort of tried to say it ominously so that they wouldn't be thinking that a surprise was coming..... 😉

 

We waited as long as we could to tell them, which meant that we hadn't even taken our first bite yet! My mom was like....we will always love you, just tell us what's wrong! 🙂

 

YOU GUYS....it took us three times of explaining to get them to understand that we had already paid for the cruise and that they were going!  They literally thought we were just talking about how neat the itinerary was!!!  When it finally sunk in that IT WAS A DONE DEAL, the fare has been paid and THEY WERE GOING they both burst into tears. For like 10 minutes. I am not exaggerating, it was a crazy amount of waterworks.  My dad later told us that my mom has been wanting to go on another cruise for the last 10 years and they could just never manage it.  It was awesome.

 

Once they recovered it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life! They are talking about it non-stop! They went THAT NIGHT to Barnes and Noble to get a cruise guide book and they have been researching all of the ports. They are looking at options for ship excursions and watching so many YouTube videos about the Caribbean Princess that I think they have already seen every nook and cranny of the ship! They have basically turned into kids at Christmas. The exact reaction we were hoping for. They haven't made it to cruise critic yet but I am waiting for my mom to find this post....she loves cruise critic! (Love you mom!)

 

Thanks again for all of your wonderful advice and kind words.  What a wonderful online community this is.  We are going to take a family cruise someday and rest assured I will back here with a ton of questions!

 

Until then....Bon Voyage....  🛳️🥰

 

 

 

 

WOW! What great story. I hope your parents come onto Cruise Critic after the cruise with an update on their experiences. Most cruiser will usually say their first was the best, but in this case I'm betting your parents will say "their second cruise was the best -THIS ONE.

[voljeep]

If not already - help them getting set up with their account on the Princess website and the Medallion App.  Come back and ask questions about the Dine My Way, etc on the App.  Very knowledgeable and helpful people here that can guide you thru it

 

Congrats

 

either parent 'military' - they should be able to get additional OBC if so - Sorry if this has been covered...

[2ferfun]

Just when you think the world is going down the tubes you read something like this and have hope for the future! Thank you for sharing this with us. How lucky your parents are!

[portiemom]

OMG!! What an awesome, awesome story! Thank you so much for sharing. I've got goosebumps and a huge smile on my face and I'm almost crying myself! You and your sister did a wonderful thing to create such a beautiful moment.

[Nicole&Pete]

Just now, Jaxer05 said:

UPDATE-For those that asked....

 

I cannot begin to express how much we appreciate all the input, advice and kindness that you all gave us! You have no idea how scary this was for us to try and figure out...I really wish that we had come to cruise critic from the very start of this adventure!

 

We decided to put the extra on their onboard account as OBC as that seemed to give them the most flexibility with their options AND it has the added benefit of being a done deal and they can't refuse to accept it as we were afraid they might do if we tried to give them cash. They are those parents that never want us to spend our own money on them! (Kinda blew that out of the water on this one...)

 

 

So.......the grand reveal went WAY better than I could have ever expected. We have a tradition in our family that whenever there is big news or something to be discussed we "call a family meeting". So my sister and I made their favorite dinner and said we wanted to have a family meeting during dinner.  We sort of tried to say it ominously so that they wouldn't be thinking that a surprise was coming..... 😉

 

We waited as long as we could to tell them, which meant that we hadn't even taken our first bite yet! My mom was like....we will always love you, just tell us what's wrong! 🙂

 

YOU GUYS....it took us three times of explaining to get them to understand that we had already paid for the cruise and that they were going!  They literally thought we were just talking about how neat the itinerary was!!!  When it finally sunk in that IT WAS A DONE DEAL, the fare has been paid and THEY WERE GOING they both burst into tears. For like 10 minutes. I am not exaggerating, it was a crazy amount of waterworks.  My dad later told us that my mom has been wanting to go on another cruise for the last 10 years and they could just never manage it.  It was awesome.

 

Once they recovered it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life! They are talking about it non-stop! They went THAT NIGHT to Barnes and Noble to get a cruise guide book and they have been researching all of the ports. They are looking at options for ship excursions and watching so many YouTube videos about the Caribbean Princess that I think they have already seen every nook and cranny of the ship! They have basically turned into kids at Christmas. The exact reaction we were hoping for. They haven't made it to cruise critic yet but I am waiting for my mom to find this post....she loves cruise critic! (Love you mom!)

 

Thanks again for all of your wonderful advice and kind words.  What a wonderful online community this is.  We are going to take a family cruise someday and rest assured I will back here with a ton of questions!

 

Until then....Bon Voyage....  🛳️🥰

 

 

 

 

That is so lovely!

 

Congratulations on a great reveal!

[cpcanuck]

Your story made my heart sing! Such a wonderful gesture and one that you will all remember for a long time to come. Thank you for reporting back to tell us how it went. We need good news stories like this! 

[charliedalrymple]

I could not love this thread more. Thanks for sharing such a heart-warming story!

 

I wonder if there is someone from Cruise Critic who will be on the same cruise who could buy mom and dad a drink?  🙂

 

Edited May 29, 2023 by charliedalrymple

[jwattle]

On 5/25/2023 at 10:53 AM, Jaxer05 said:

UPDATE-For those that asked....

 

I cannot begin to express how much we appreciate all the input, advice and kindness that you all gave us! You have no idea how scary this was for us to try and figure out...I really wish that we had come to cruise critic from the very start of this adventure!

 

We decided to put the extra on their onboard account as OBC as that seemed to give them the most flexibility with their options AND it has the added benefit of being a done deal and they can't refuse to accept it as we were afraid they might do if we tried to give them cash. They are those parents that never want us to spend our own money on them! (Kinda blew that out of the water on this one...)

 

 

So.......the grand reveal went WAY better than I could have ever expected. We have a tradition in our family that whenever there is big news or something to be discussed we "call a family meeting". So my sister and I made their favorite dinner and said we wanted to have a family meeting during dinner.  We sort of tried to say it ominously so that they wouldn't be thinking that a surprise was coming..... 😉

 

We waited as long as we could to tell them, which meant that we hadn't even taken our first bite yet! My mom was like....we will always love you, just tell us what's wrong! 🙂

 

YOU GUYS....it took us three times of explaining to get them to understand that we had already paid for the cruise and that they were going!  They literally thought we were just talking about how neat the itinerary was!!!  When it finally sunk in that IT WAS A DONE DEAL, the fare has been paid and THEY WERE GOING they both burst into tears. For like 10 minutes. I am not exaggerating, it was a crazy amount of waterworks.  My dad later told us that my mom has been wanting to go on another cruise for the last 10 years and they could just never manage it.  It was awesome.

 

Once they recovered it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life! They are talking about it non-stop! They went THAT NIGHT to Barnes and Noble to get a cruise guide book and they have been researching all of the ports. They are looking at options for ship excursions and watching so many YouTube videos about the Caribbean Princess that I think they have already seen every nook and cranny of the ship! They have basically turned into kids at Christmas. The exact reaction we were hoping for. They haven't made it to cruise critic yet but I am waiting for my mom to find this post....she loves cruise critic! (Love you mom!)

 

Thanks again for all of your wonderful advice and kind words.  What a wonderful online community this is.  We are going to take a family cruise someday and rest assured I will back here with a ton of questions!

 

Until then....Bon Voyage....  🛳️🥰

 

 

 

 

Thank you so much for telling us all about this, including v the reveal 💕💕💕💕

[Buckeye10640]

This just might be my favorite Cruise Critic thread ever! I hope your parents have a wonderful time and I do hope you are able to cruise as a family someday in the future. 

[Bwana Tom]

2 hours ago, charliedalrymple said:

I could not love this thread more. Thanks for sharing such a heart-warming story!

 

I wonder if there is someone from Cruise Critic who will be on the same cruise who could buy mom and dad a drink?  🙂

 

They would certainly deserve it. They were responsible for raising a couple of really great kids.

[cruisequeen4ever]

Yay; so happy to hear the great follow-up news! You guys rock!

[travelin.sisters]

thank you so much for sharing the follow-up! 

[schlogee]

I'm so happy I read this whole thread - including the reveal!  We also do "family meetings" so I can imagine your parents state of mind at first, and then the shift to cruise vacation - so cool!

[Lady Arwen]

On 5/25/2023 at 1:53 PM, Jaxer05 said:

UPDATE-For those that asked....

 

I cannot begin to express how much we appreciate all the input, advice and kindness that you all gave us! You have no idea how scary this was for us to try and figure out...I really wish that we had come to cruise critic from the very start of this adventure!

 

We decided to put the extra on their onboard account as OBC as that seemed to give them the most flexibility with their options AND it has the added benefit of being a done deal and they can't refuse to accept it as we were afraid they might do if we tried to give them cash. They are those parents that never want us to spend our own money on them! (Kinda blew that out of the water on this one...)

 

 

So.......the grand reveal went WAY better than I could have ever expected. We have a tradition in our family that whenever there is big news or something to be discussed we "call a family meeting". So my sister and I made their favorite dinner and said we wanted to have a family meeting during dinner.  We sort of tried to say it ominously so that they wouldn't be thinking that a surprise was coming..... 😉

 

We waited as long as we could to tell them, which meant that we hadn't even taken our first bite yet! My mom was like....we will always love you, just tell us what's wrong! 🙂

 

YOU GUYS....it took us three times of explaining to get them to understand that we had already paid for the cruise and that they were going!  They literally thought we were just talking about how neat the itinerary was!!!  When it finally sunk in that IT WAS A DONE DEAL, the fare has been paid and THEY WERE GOING they both burst into tears. For like 10 minutes. I am not exaggerating, it was a crazy amount of waterworks.  My dad later told us that my mom has been wanting to go on another cruise for the last 10 years and they could just never manage it.  It was awesome.

 

Once they recovered it was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life! They are talking about it non-stop! They went THAT NIGHT to Barnes and Noble to get a cruise guide book and they have been researching all of the ports. They are looking at options for ship excursions and watching so many YouTube videos about the Caribbean Princess that I think they have already seen every nook and cranny of the ship! They have basically turned into kids at Christmas. The exact reaction we were hoping for. They haven't made it to cruise critic yet but I am waiting for my mom to find this post....she loves cruise critic! (Love you mom!)

 

Thanks again for all of your wonderful advice and kind words.  What a wonderful online community this is.  We are going to take a family cruise someday and rest assured I will back here with a ton of questions!

 

Until then....Bon Voyage....  🛳️🥰

 

 

 

 

Now you’ve got me crying!  You two are the best and your parents must be so proud to have raised such generous and considerate children.  Thank you for allowing us to be part of this very special occasion.  I hope you come back and tell us how much they enjoyed their cruise.  Give yourselves a big pat on the back for a job well done!

[cr8tiv1]

23 hours ago, charliedalrymple said:

I could not love this thread more. Thanks for sharing such a heart-warming story!

 

I wonder if there is someone from Cruise Critic who will be on the same cruise who could buy mom and dad a drink?  🙂

 

 

Check out the roll call.  Or link the roll call here. I am sure there will be one person on the roll call that knows someone who would be willing to sponsor a drink.  Great way to meet someone.  I know I would contact a friend if they were on the same cruise.  

 

 

Edited May 30, 2023 by cr8tiv1